Complete Alice in Wonderland - L. Carroll [167]
Ca’n’t: The Victorian contraction for “cannot.” (The apostrophes, as placed, are Carroll’s preference.)
Callay, Callooh: Calls of celebration, such as “Huzzah!”
Castling: A move in chess, in which the rooks are moved to protect the king from attack. (In Looking-Glass Chess, castling involves simultaneous movement of the queens.)
Caucus-Race: A joke made on English political practices. A caucus is a meeting of members belonging to the same political party, while a race is a contest between political rivals. A caucus-race, then, is a pointless (but energetic!) contest between political allies.
Chimney-Piece: The mantle shelf over a fireplace.
Coal-Scuttle: A bucket used to store coal inside of a home or other building.
Comfits: Small Victorian candies, typically made with spices, fruit, nuts or other flavorful additions.
Contrariwise: “In opposition of that,” or “On the contrary.”
Crab: A sloppy oar-stroke, which causes the water to pull at the oar (and thereby slowing movement and causing problems for the person stroking with the oar).
Cravat: A formal neckband worn by gentlemen in place of a tie.
Cucumber-Frame: A small greenhouse-like structure, used to accelerate the growth of cucumbers.
Curiouser: Even more curious than curious. Famously bad English; we are left to wonder whether Carroll was affectionately quoting Alice Liddell.
Currants: Berries used in decorative foods.
Cut: To socially slight someone by either failing to acknowledge their greeting, or pretending not to know them.
Daisy-Chain: A laurel, bracelet or string of daisies, created by picking the flowers and tying or weaving their stems together.
Deal Box: A small Victorian box, used to carry linen, keepsakes or miscellaneous items.
Earl: A member of the English nobility. Historically, an Earl is more powerful than a Baron, but less powerful than a Duke or Marquis.
Edgar Atheling: The last member of the royal house of Cerdic, of Wessex. He was proclaimed king in 1066 A.D., but never crowned.
Edwin: The Earl of Mercia in 1066 A.D. Along with his younger brother Morcar, he supported Edgar Atheling against the Normans.
Esq.: An abbreviation for Esquire (an unofficial formal title taken by someone of high, but not noble, status).
Extinquisher: A Victorian candle snuffer.
Feather: A gentle oar stroke that causes a boat to move through the water in rapid, controlled fashion. Compare Crab.
Fender: A protective screen that fits the base of the fireplace.
Fiddle-De-Dee: An expression of impatience or mild annoyance.
Fiddlestick: Informal. Roughly translated, “I don’t care what they say.”
Finger-Post: A trail- or road-side sign post, pointing the direction to a particular town or feature.
Frabjous: A portmanteau of “fabulous” and “joyous.” A “frabjous day,” therefore, is a momentously happy one, whereupon celebrations will occur.
Frumenty: A dish similar to oatmeal, typically consisting of milk and boiled wheat.
Frumious: A portmanteau of “fuming” and “furious.”
Fudge: An informal interjection, meaning “nonsense.”
Galumph: A portmanteau of “galloping” and “triumph”; in other words, to proudly walk in a thoroughly rambunctious manner.
Gimble: To move in a circular fashion, reminiscent of a gimlet (a small metal tool).
Gimlet: A small hand tool, used for drilling holes in leather, wood or cloth.
Going Messages: The act of serving as either a messenger or postman on behalf of a superior.
Grog: A mariner’s alcoholic drink, consisting of watered-down beer or rum.
Gyre: To move in a circular fashion without losing one’s balance, like a gyroscope.
Haddock: A food fish, popularly used in fish and chips.
Hansom-Cab: A buggy pulled by a single horse.
Hearth-Rug: A heavy floor rug positioned in front of the fireplace.
Helmsman: The mariner who stands at the wheel and steers the ship.
Jabberwock: A nonesuch draconian monster, which apparently haunted the world of Wonderland and Looking-Glass Land in the age of the Anglo-Saxons.
Jabberwocky: A poem written by Lewis Carroll.